Illuminated baton



June 22, 1954 MANOLOFF 2,681,979

ILLUMINATED BATON Filed Jan. 15, 1951 INVENTOR: NICK MANOLOFF swim ,A GENT Patented June 22, 1954 UNITED PATENT F F I 2,681,979

ILLUMINATED-BATON Nick Manoloff, Chicago, 111. Application January 15, 1951, Serial No. 206,004

(Cl. 240, e.42

Claims. 1.

This invention relates to twirling batons and more particularly to electrically illuminated twirling batons.

It has long been desired-to incorporate electrical-illuminating means in twirling batons for purposes of decoration as well as to make such batons more attractive-for twirling maneuvers performed in-darlrness,--but certaindifficulties arise in --regard-to-the increase in weight and moment of inertia which result from the addition of electrical-elements required to accomplish suchillum-ination in-the conventional twirling baton. Besides these difilculties, theelectrical elements, such as the'bulbs and the batteries, used to provide such illumination are usually susceptible to establishment of: circuitfaults caused by forces exerted on the elements during thenormaLuse of suchbatons. In other words, the elements available for accomplishing illumination, and the manner of their association, are usually not sufficientlyrugged-to withstand-the various suddenand extreme-forces exerted during normal manipulation of twirling batons. Additionally, the weight, as well as the cost of suchelements,

usually do not readily lend themselves to being adapted to-use inbatons without making them cumbersome and expensive beyond practical limits.

In=-viewof=the foregoing conditions, it is an object of this invention to provide a novelelectrically illuminated twirling baton, ruggedin structure and having characteristics of weight and momentof inertia within the limits characteristic of conventional twirling batons,

Acfurther object is to provide a novel-electri- A cally illuminated twirling baton'which is simple and economical to construct, and in-whioh all elements are physically protected against damage from eventhe most extreme jarring forces that mightoccur during twirling maneuvers.

' Astill further object is to provide a'novel' elec trically illuminatedtwir-lingbaton in which all circuit elements are protected against electrical discontinuities under the jarring forces; of -twirling. maneuvers or'accidental falls and contacts with hard surfaces;

A novel feature of-the-invention is that-all of the electrical elements of the baton are arranged to vbe physically cushioned against shock substan tlally without adding-any=weight or affecting maneuverability in other respects.

Another featureis that the baton is provided with electrically illuminated -.tips,. the electrical circuits: of V which-are so 1 arranged. that electrical connections therein, are actually-improvedunder 2 theforces exerted during twirling maneuvers, rather than tending to become faulty.

The novel features which-I believe to be characteristic ofmy invention are setforth-with particularity in-the appended claims. My invention, however, both as to its organization and method of operation, together withfurther objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure l is an-elevational-view-ofranelectrioally illuminated twirling baton embodying the principles of :the presentinvention with the central portion of the shaft removed to facilitate drawing and also to indicate that itmay be made in various. lengths;

Figure 2 is a top View of one end of the baton with a portion removed tomorerclearlyrreveal the internal elements of an illuminatingportion of the baton;

Figure-3 is aorosslsectional view of the end of the batonshown in Figure-2 as vtakenton line 3-33;

Figure 4 isaside elevational vew .ofan annular member adapted to provide a seat for the illumihating-bulb incorporated in each end of the baton;.

Figure ,5 is: aside elevational vow of the shock absorbing member which is used: at eachendof the baton with one portion broken. away and. otherportions shown indotted lines toreveal its internal form;

Figure dis a side .elevational view .of aportion of the baton showingthe type of switch. which is incorporated in its electrical circuits at each end of the baton;

Figure '7 is a topviewof the switch of Figured showing :the manner inwhich it ismounted on the endof the baton;

Figure 8 is aside elevationalview of the switch shown in Figure-6,,but. rotated to an, on position into. which-it is locked; and,

Figure 9 is a side elevational, View of. the switch shown in Figures 6. to 8 with-a portion of, the switch member and a. portionof the shaft broken away to reveal the-way in whiohptheswitoh-memrher. is retained on the shaft, and by whichzit may be lockedinits oniposition.

In greater detail, Figural shows a baton. made of a hollowmetal shaftlfl each; end of which is fitted with an illuminating bulb I l encasedwithin a transparent plastic globe l2 which. is supported and secured to the shaft-end bymeans of a resilient .bushingl 3 made ofmaterial-such as rubber.

3 The shaft is of relatively small diameter at its central portion, but has end portions of slightly larger diameter arranged to accommodate batteries for the bulbs incorporated in the baton.

As shown in Figure 3, the shaft ends are enlarged in diameter for a length slightly greater than the length of a pair of conventional penlight type dry cell batteries, each having a positive terminal at the top and a negative terminal at the bottom. The batteries are placed end for end in series circuit relation and are supported by a metal slug or washer is which is press-fit into the bottom of the enlarged shaft portion where it is backed by the internal shoulder formed at the end of the smaller diameter portion. A spiral spring It of short length is inserted between the slug l5 and the lower-most battery hi to provide a cushion support for the batteries. This spring has an outer dimension substantially equal to the inside diameter of the enlarged shaft portion so as to provide a snug fit for the spring within the shaft in its abutting relation with the slug l5. Besides acting as a lower cushion for the batteries, the spring it also acts as a means for establishing an electrical contact between one end of the series connected batteries and the body of the shaft. A helical spring l8, having a smaller diameter at one end than the other, is also formed with its largest diameter substantially equal to the inside diameter of the expanded shaft portion so that it may be seated on top of the uppermost battery H1, in contact with the inside surface of the body of the shaft without making contact with either the positive or negative electrodes of the battery on which it is seated. The smaller end of this spring is curled about the socket or screw portion of the bulb ll, thus elec trically joining one side of the bulb with the body of the shaft, and consequently connecting it to the negative side of the series connected batteries through the spring |6. The length of the spring i8 is sufficient to support the central terminal 19 of the bulb a distance above the positive electrode 2B of the upper battery M. Thus, by exerting a force on the bulb to compress the spring |8, electrical contact can be made between the bulb terminal H) and the positive electrode 2i], so that a complete electrical circuit is established through the bulb I.

The switching mechanism for selectably turning the bulb on and off comprises a circular sleeve or band 2| which snugly surrounds the end of the shaft in cooperative association with the bushing l3, and a transparent bulb seat 22 fixedly held within the globe I2. The band 2| is made of thin sheet material having a length slightly less than the circumference of the shaft, and is formed into a circle as shown in Figures 6, 7 and 8 with the ends of the sheet confronting each other. An irregularly shaped slot 23, provided in the side of the band is formed by two horizontal straight cutout sections 24 and 25 of short length, spaced a short distance apart about the circumference of the band at different levels, and joined by a diagonal section 26. To enable the switch to be locked in its on position, a notch 28 is provided in the lower edge of the slot at the extreme end of the straight section 25.

A projection 29, provided on the outer surface of the shaft to make engagement with the slot, is formed by an indentation or semi-perforation on the inner surface of the shaft, as shown in Figure 9. The projection has a width slightly less than that of the slot and fits therein to retain the band on the end of the shaft as well as to act as a guide and positioning means therefor. The height of the projection is such that it is no greater than the thickness of the band, yet sufficiently great that it will retain the band in place on the end of the shaft. The projection 29, besides being formed by an indentation of the inner surface of the shaft, also may be formed by a rivet fixedly secured to the shaft through an aperture in the wall and mushroomed on the outer as well as the inner surface, or some form of nut and bolt arrangement might be made to provide a projection, but the projection formed by the indentation or semi-perforation on the inner surface is preferred since with such arrangement no projections exist on the inner surface to obstruct the insertion of batteries and springs within the shaft. The band 2| is mounted on the end of the shaft by using the confronting ends of the band as a keyway, into which the projection 29 slides when the band is placed over the shaft end, and then forcibly rotating the band so that the projection will snap into the retaining slot 23.

The straight section 25 of the slot 23 is disposed a distance above the section 24 slightly greater than the distance that the bulb must be moved from its normal off position to an on position in contact with the positive electrode 20 of the upper battery Id. The section 25 is also disposed a distance below the upper edge of the band 2| slightly greater than the distance that the projection 29 is located below the upper edge of the shaft l0, so that upon rotation of the band for selective on and "01 5 positioning thereof, the upper edge of the shaft never projects beyond the upper edge of the band. It will be seen that when the upper straight section 25 of the slot 23 is located to the right of the lower section 24, as illustrated in Figure 6, a clockwise rotation of the band 2| results in the band being lowered a distance equal to the vertical distance between the two straight sections 24 and 25. A clockwise rotation of the band to its extreme position, places the projection 29 above the notch 28 so that the band 2| may be slid upwardly to lock it in place as shown in Figure 8. r

The circular bushing |3 has an inner diameter equal to the outer diameter of the band 2| so that it fits closely thereover. Its length is such that it may be slid over the band 2| so that its lower edge is at approximately the same level as the lower edge of the band 2|, while its upper edge, provided with an inwardly projecting ridge 3|, overhangs the upper edges of both the band and the shaft II). A tire-like shock absorbing bumper 32 is unitarily formed with the bushing and extends from the lower edge thereof. When the bushing is mounted on the band 2|, the bulb H, in being supported by the spring l8, resiliently projects through the aperture formed by its overhanging ridge 3|.

A seat for the bulb is provided by a transparent apertured disk or washer 22 which is fit tightly into the globe I2 and forms an upper illuminating chamber where light from the bulb may be displayed. The disk has a circular projection 33 on its lower surface, of such size that it fits closely within the aperture surrounded by the upper ridge 3| of the bushing |3, as shown in Figure 3. Thus, the ridge 3| is made to function as a cushion between the bulb seat and the shaft end. The position of the washer 22 within the globe i2 is determined by a shoulder formed on the inner surfacaoibthe: globe: at..a distanceiabove .thllOW-- er-.;edge;ofztherglobea This distance. is;- such that wherrztha-washenlh makes its engaging. :relati'on withcithe';,upperrsurface. of the bushing E3, the lower edge ottheglobe, whichiis providedwith a securingridge ML-fits insideithetireslike bump, er..1;32.j': Additionally,;-the swasher .is. so located along; the. lengthi-aofitheaglobe astoIgiVe-it more strength by way ofireenforcement: The bulb 11' I. .is preferably ota typeco'mmonly used: ;in pen-type. flashlights having... a .narrow elongatedrtip .with. a widertshoulder portion providedclose .to its base;.; The endof theelongated tip isrprovidedmitha .lens:.th.rough whichaa por tioncofthe light emittedifromathe bulb:=is con-- centratedinto aubeanr which :is directedv toward portion. rests against? the under surface .of theaperture which is. beveled-to fit the contours of the;.bulb. Whensthe bulb is. lit, the: light fromtheportionibelolw theadisk, plusthelight from.

thetip .portion projecting :above .the disk, provides illumination: in "all directionsxwithin the globe il2.z Although the. type. of bulb shown in the drawing: ispreferredyitisapparent that the construction disclosed". is not? necessarily limited.

to:the.particular: bulb illustrated, but that: other bulbs, suchias. the common. spherical envelope.

type,'might.also be incorporated readily .within thetstructure by merely changing the size and contour. of.-the aperture inxthedisk 22, so that a substantialiportionof the-bulb andthe light emittedzitherefrom will project into the illuminatingchamber of globe .12..

To add to the decorative 'effecto-f the illumihating.structuraitheglobe I2 can be made in a variety of. colors andiplastic materials. Further, the send .ofthe: globe. [2' is arrangedto form a light beamilike. that formed by. the lens tip of the.::bulb l I, by constructingit'so that its centralwportion is. thicker :than the edges, thereby providing a lenszfor the lightemitted from the illuminating; chamber.

When-.Lthe globe i2: is mounted over theibush vent thebushingfrom accidentally slipping from.

the band. Consequently,-the-globe itself, which is-held in placenby thebumper 32.is also pre vented from accidentally slipping from the end of the shaftz:

In order to illuminate one end of the baton, theglobe l2 and theshock absorber member 32, either singularly'oritogether; aarei grasped in one hand, and rotated clockwise, while the shaft is heldstationary in the other hand. This rotates theband 2|? on the shaft. and causes it to be lowered, adistance governed .by the shape of the irregular slot 23' therein. This distance, as explained above, is that which is required to bring the bulb terminal 19 in contact with the electrode of the battery l4 plus a slight additional distance which causes the batteries to compress the spring l6 upon which they are supported. When the band reaches a point where the notch 28 is directly under the projection 29, the spring [6 pushes the band 2| upwardly so that the band is locked in position by engagement of the projection 29 in the notch 28. Any vertical movement of the band 2| effected by the rotation of the globe l2 and the shock absorber member 1132; along. eWith' ambushing. 13,..is1transmitted :to..the..-bulb :1 i .bystheodiska 22. The. globe, bushing .and. the. shock 1' absorber in effect rideeon the band 2 I" so that. when the .band is-lowered, the disk 22" which is fixedly mounted inside the. globe rotates -slidably about. the glass shoulder surfacezof the bulb ll and at the same time exerts a force downwardly-them on to .bring the 'bulb'xinto contactingrelation with theabattery l4.- A complete circuit forthe-i bulb: thereby nresults the negative electrode of the lower battery I4 being connected-toithe screw socket terminal of the .bulb through theelec trical path formed :by .the'spring '16, the shaft lllwandnthe helical springv l8;- whi1e' the: central terminal. .l9 .-or- .the. bulb makes direct-contact: with the. positive electrode- 20 ofthe upper batteryl4.

During twirling maneuvers; centrifugal iio'rces are exerted on'thebatteries H sothat the posi tive electrode not the upperrbattery 'H' pressesmore tightly againstthe central terminal l9 'of' the bulb II, whilethe spring .16 elongatesre sponsive to any movement of-the batterie's so that .a..completer circuit will always bemai-n-' tained. Thus, it is apparent that du-ringrperiods when. the. baton is :being twirle'd, 1 the contacts" of theelectrical circuitLincorporated therein-are actually improved-1 The baton isso designed that if duringtwirl-fing. vmaneuvers it is accidentally dropped th" jarring contact of the 'fall..wil1.be takenup byeither one or both of the shock absorbers 32, 01

by one of the globes l2i without danger of dam-- age occurring. If. contact is madewith. the shock" absorbers 32,.thewja-rring forces are absorbed-byboth the bushing I3 and shock absorber. In addition, the. resiliency of the entire globe 'assem bly causes the baton to bounce so that it 'canbeeasily caught onaureboundof the fall; It the baton falls so .that 'the globe l2 makesthe.-=cor1-v tact, the jarring forces exerted thereonare -also absorbed byxboth'the resilient member 32 ancl the bushing .l 3 since theglobes are suspended entirely upon the resilient member incorporating the bushing and shock absorberg When iabulb -I II is to be. replaced,-the entire bushing and globe assembly may be-removedfon such operationby pulling on the globeandshock' absorber and simultaneously rotating them in= either direction. Thiscauses the-bushing l3' to slip off the band. 2 I. gradually so that access may behad to: the bulb directly inorderthatthe replacement may-be made with facility.

While. I have. shownva particular embodiment: of my invention, it will, of .course, be understood-- thatI do notwish-tobe limited thereto since many modifications. bothin the elements emplayed and their. cooperative structure, .may-be made -without. departing: fromzuthespiritand: scopezof my.invention... I contemplate, by the appended claimsto cover anysuchmodificatiensasi fall within thetrue spirit and scope of: my inven' tion;

Iclaim as my; invention: 1. In combination with a baton shaft at least one end of which is to be illuminated, a transparent globe, means for resiliently supporting said globe on said end, said resilient support means including a resilient projecting portion surrounding said shaft to provide a shock-absorbing bounce ring therefor, a lamp supported and arrange for adjustable positioning on said shaft-end, means fixedly associated with said globe for engaging said lamp in seated relation,

a source of voltage incorporated in said shaft having connections accessible to said shaft-end for energizing said lamp, and means for positioning said resilient support means and globe with respect to said shaft-end, whereby said lamp may be selectively positioned in connected relation with said source of voltage to illuminate said globe.

2. A baton capable of being illuminated comprising a shaft having at least one hollow end portion, a globe providing an illuminating chamber having an opening therein, a cross-member dividing the inside of said globe into a lower portion adjacent said opening and an upper portion above said cross-member, a sleeve-like insert of resilient material lining the inside of said lower portion, the inner dimensions of said insert being such that said globe and insert may be mounted on said shaft-end in axially positionable relation, said insert having a ridge projecting inwardly from the top thereof overhanging the edge of said shaft-end, thereby providing a resilient separator between said dividing member and shaft-end, a light-bulb resiliently supported within the hollow end of said shaft and projecting therefrom, said dividing memher being so shaped that said bulb makes seated engagement with the under portion thereof in such manner that a substantial portion of the light emitted from said bulb is transmitted to 1 the upper portion of said globe, a battery source of voltage for lighting said bulb encased within said shaft, said source of voltage having an associated electrical circuit accessible to said shaftend arranged to light said bulb responsive to said bulb being axially positioned in connection therewith, whereby said globe may be illuminated responsive to axial positioning thereof on said shaft.

3. A baton capable of being illuminated comprising a shaft at least one end of which is to be illuminated, a transparent globe having an opening therein, a sleeve-like insert of resilient material lining the inside of the portion of said globe adjacent said opening, a cross-member fixed in said globe dividing it into an upper portion and a lower portion, said insert having a portion extending outwardly from the bottom thereof and securably overlapping the edge of said globe adjacent said opening, a sleeve-like band surrounding said shaft-end in snug slidable relation therewith and arranged for selective axial positioning thereon, the inner dimensions of said insert being such as to permit said globe and insert to be mounted in tight-fit relation on said axially positionable band, said insert having a ridge projecting inwardly from the top thereof overhanging the edges of said shaft-end and band, thereby providing a resilient separator between said cross-member and said edges, a light-bulb resiliently supported on the end of said shaft within the lower portion of said globe, said dividing member being so shaped that said bulb makes seated engagement with the under portion thereof in such manner that a substantial portion of the light emitted from said bulb is transmitted to the upper portion of said globe, and a battery source of voltage for lighting said bulb encased within said shaft, said source of voltage having an associated electrical circuit accessible to said shaft-end arranged to light said bulb responsive to said bulb making connection therewith upon axial positioning of said band and globe.

4. A baton capable of being illuminated comprising a metal shaft of given length, at least one end of said shaft being surrounded by a bushing of resilient material, a transparent globe having an open end fitted over a portion of said resilient bushing enclosing said shaft-end, the open end of said globe being provided with an outwardly projecting ridge, the exposed portion of said bushing extending outwardly to and overlapping said ridge, thereby securing said globe to said bushing and forming a shock-absorber for said shaft and globe, said shaft-end having a hollow portion accommodating a voltage source, a light-bulb capable of being energized by said voltage source resiliently mounted at said shaft-end, means for seating said bulb in a fixed location within said globe whereby light emitted therefrom will be distributed within said globe, said voltage source, shaft, and bulb being so arranged that said bulb will make con- 'nection with said voltage source for energization responsive to an axial positioning of said bulb at said shaft-end, means associated with said shaft for enabling said globe and bushing to be adjustably positioned axially on said shaftend, whereby said bulb may be moved into a position of connection with said voltage source.

5. A baton comprising a shaft of given length, illuminating means at each end of said shaft comprising a bushing of resilient material surrounding the end of said shaft, a transparent globe having an opening therein of such size as to permit said globe to be fitted snugly over said bushing, thereby enclosing said shaft-end, said globe having a projecting portion adjacent said opening, a portion of said bushing extending outwardly to overlap the projecting ridge portion of said globe, thereby securing said globe to said bushing and forming a shock-absorber for said shaft and globe, another portion of said bushing overhanging said shaft-end to prevent movement of said bushing on said shaft beyond said shaft-end, a light-bulb mounted within said globe, and a source of voltage incorporated in said shaft connected to said bulb and arranged to selectively energize said bulb.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,099,444 Langdon Nov. 16, 1937 2,235,864 Brennan et al. Mar. 25, 1941 2,242,981 Pedersen May 20, 1941 2,259,443 Geier Oct. 21, 1941 

